gray birch

noun

1. a small, bushy birch, Betula populifolia, of stony or sandy areas of the eastern U.S., having grayish-white bark and triangular leaves.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gray birch¹

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Example Sentences

If you live high in the Appalachians or in northern latitudes, you could turn to a few native species of birch, the gray birch, the sweet birch and the yellow birch.

From Washington Post

I doubt the signature tree at the southern end of the High Line, the gray birches of the Gansevoort Woodland, would be happy south of Philadelphia.

From Washington Post

About six black-capped chickadees had turned a bare gray birch into a sort of Christmas tree.

From New York Times

Trees like white poplar or gray birch generally give way to other species in a few dozen years.

From New York Times

A copse of trembling aspens overlooked gray birch and bracken fern.

From New York Times